Campana's mom has special interest in Olympics

By Carrie Muskat / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- Tony Campana's mom, Faye, is keeping a close eye on the summer Olympics. A former star gymnast at Indiana State, she teaches gymnastics in Springboro, Ohio, and was an alternate judge for the Summer Games one year.

"I like watching the running more than the gymnastics," he said. "My mom says I watch the running because I can do that."

Garza throws for first time since triceps injury

CHICAGO -- Cubs pitcher Matt Garza threw on flat ground Saturday, the first time he's done so since he came out of his last start one week ago with cramping in his right triceps. Garza will throw a bullpen session on Monday, but he was not expected to start until late next week.

The subject of trade rumors, Garza will not start before Tuesday's non-waiver Trade Deadline, but the right-hander could make his first start back against one of the teams interested in him -- the Dodgers. The Cubs travel to Los Angeles for three games next Friday.

"Everything's gradually progressing and he's doing much better," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said Saturday about Garza (5-7, 3.91 ERA), who was pulled from his last outing after three innings. "We'll try to get him out there late next week. Everything is going really well. Everything's getting better each day."

Tuesday is not only the Trade Deadline, but a personal deadline for Garza, as his wife was expected to deliver the couple's fourth child then.

Barney's defense at a Gold Glove-caliber level

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Dale Sveum doesn't like taking Darwin Barney out of the lineup. The second baseman's defense is too good.

"His defense has been incredible all season long," Sveum said of Barney, who ranks fourth among National League second basemen in double plays and has committed one error in 95 games.

Barney is having a Gold Glove-caliber season.

"I'd hate to think anybody has played better second base than he has," Sveum said. "There's no question about [winning a] Gold Glove the way he's played. He's been as good as I've seen for 100 games. People just don't realize the other things he brings with the constant turning of the double play. There aren't too many second basemen who go for the popups and catch the popups that he does either.

"There's a lot of things that go [unnoticed], like knowing where to play every hitter and paying attention to details. It's been incredible."

Entering Saturday, Barney leads NL second basemen in putouts with 190; the Pirates' Neal Walker is next at 182, followed by the D-backs' Aaron Hill with 162.

Sveum ejected for arguing call at first base

CHICAGO -- Cubs manager Dale Sveum was ejected at the end of the seventh inning Saturday by umpire Mike Winters for arguing a close play at first base.

The Cubs had taken a 3-2 lead in the seventh and the bases were loaded with two outs when Starlin Castro hit a ball to Cardinals shortstop Daniel Descalso. Castro appeared to beat the throw by a step, but Winters called him out, which prompted Sveum to sprint across the field.

After a brief argument, Sveum was then tossed for the third time this season.

Extra bases

 Chris Volstad threw a season-high eight innings and did not give up a run in Triple-A Iowa's 5-0 win over Oklahoma City on Friday. Volstad, who opened the year in the Cubs' rotation, struck out five, walked three and gave up four hits. The win snapped Iowa's eight-game losing streak.

 Javier Baez, the Cubs' first-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, hit his 11th home run, a two-run shot in the eighth, in Class A Peoria's 3-2 win over Cedar Rapids. Baez was batting .335, including .385 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in July.

According to the Peoria Journal Star, Baez paused briefly while crossing home plate after his home run, then was chased back to the dugout by home-plate umpire James Rackley.

"I was just saying hello to their catcher," Baez said.

 Lendy Castillo, the Cubs' Rule 5 Draft pick, who has been on the disabled list with a groin injury, threw four innings Friday for the Mesa Rookie League team. He struck out six and gave up two hits and two walks.

Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler was 2-for-4 with a stolen base in the game.